Writer, journalist, designer and filmmaker, Vassilis Alexakis was born in 1943 in Greece. At the age of 17, he moved to France and joined the Ecole de journalisme in Lille. After returning to Greece in 1964, he fled again from his country after the colonels’ coup d’etat. In 1968, he joined the Monde des Livres, where he remained 15 years.
In 1974, he published his first book in french, Le Sandwich. Followed by La tête du chat (1978); Talgo (2003), a french translation of a small novel (a long letter written by an athenian bovary to her lover) which Alexakis had written in Greek in 1982, the year of his divorce, and Contrôle d’identité (1985).
In Paris-Athènes (1989), we already find everything that makes the magnitude of the writer: the quest for words. “A little odyssey through two languages, an overwhelming evocation of the dramas and joys engendered by such a trip, Paris-Athènes, is more than that: the quest of a “me” constantly fleeing and that only literature allows to apprehend, and perhaps save.”
Writer, journalist, designer and filmmaker, Vassilis Alexakis was born in 1943 in Greece. At the age of 17, he moved to France and joined the Ecole de journalisme in Lille. After returning to Greece in 1964, he fled again from his country after the colonels’ coup d’etat. In 1968, he joined the Monde des Livres, where he remained 15 years.
In 1974, he published his first book in french, Le Sandwich. Followed by La tête du chat (1978); Talgo (2003), a french translation of a small novel (a long letter written by an athenian bovary to her lover) which Alexakis had written in Greek in 1982, the year of his divorce, and Contrôle d’identité (1985).
In Paris-Athènes (1989), we already find everything that makes the magnitude of the writer: the quest for words. “A little odyssey through two languages, an overwhelming evocation of the dramas and joys engendered by such a trip, Paris-Athènes, is more than that: the quest of a “me” constantly fleeing and that only literature allows to apprehend, and perhaps save.”
We’re pleased to share the final instalment in our shortlisted author Q&A series: a conversation with Brigitte Giraud, author of Live Fast, exploring the inspirations behind the novel and reflecting o
VideoMay 12 2026
Laurent Binet – Perspective(s) Q&A
Check out our Q&A with Laurent Binet, author of shortlisted title Perspective(s), as he discusses the inspirations behind his work and reflects on the role libraries have played in shaping his journey
VideoMay 8 2026
Ali Smith – Gliff Q&A
Shortlisted author Ali Smith discusses the creative inspirations behind Gliff and reflects on the significance of libraries throughout her reading and writing life in our latest Q&A.
